Nakajima A2N

Nakajima · Japan · first flew 1929 · fighter

The Nakajima A2N was a single-seat carrier-based fighter biplane that served with the Imperial Japanese Navy in the early 1930s. It represented an incremental improvement over earlier Navy fighters and saw considerable front-line service.

Recognition (WEFT)

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

• Single-bay biplane carrier fighter of the Imperial Japanese Navy
• Radial engine with prominent cowling ring, fixed undercarriage with wheel spats
• Parasol-style upper wing arrangement gives high-wing biplane silhouette

A compact single-bay biplane with a large radial engine and short, stubby fuselage; the pronounced gap between upper and lower wings and the fixed spatted undercarriage are key identification features.

Specifications

• The Nakajima A2N has a length of 6.18 m (20 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 9.37 m (31 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 293 km/h (182 mph).
• Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Designed in the late 1920s, the A2N entered service around 1930 and became the standard IJN carrier fighter for several years. It participated in operations over China in the early 1930s, giving Japanese Navy pilots valuable combat experience before monoplane fighters arrived.

Variants

The A2N1 and A2N2 were the primary variants, differing mainly in engine fit and minor airframe refinements.

Where you'll see it

Embarked aboard IJN carriers including Akagi and Kaga through the early-to-mid 1930s; withdrawn as monoplane fighters such as the A5M entered service.

Related aircraft

• Nakajima E4N
• Nakajima Ki-6
• Nakajima A1N
• Nakajima Army Type 91 Fighter
• Boeing P-12
• Boeing XP-7
• Curtiss P-1F Hawk
• Hall XFH

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